A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by
adding thereto a new section, designated §4-1-5b, relating to
requiring persons giving testimony or providing information to
the Legislature to attest to the truthfulness of the testimony
or information; providing who may administer the oath;
defining a term; and providing penalties.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended
by adding thereto a new section, designated §4-1-5b to read as
follows:

ARTICLE 1. OFFICERS, MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES; APPROPRIATIONS;

INVESTIGATIONS; DISPLAY OF FLAGS; RECORDS; USE OF

CAPITOL BUILDING; PREFILING OF BILLS AND

RESOLUTIONS; STANDING COMMITTEES; INTERIM MEETINGS;

NEXT MEETING OF THE SENATE.

§4-1-5b. Testimony of witnesses; truthfulness; oath; penalty.

(a) A person providing testimony or information to the
Legislature, the House of Delegates, the Senate or any legislative
committee shall do so under oath or affirmation. The oath or
affirmation may be executed by signing a sworn statement regarding
the truthfulness of the testimony or information prior to its
submission.

(b) The oaths and affirmations to be taken by any witness
before the House of Delegates, the Senate or any legislative
committee may be administered by the Speaker of the House of
Delegates, the President of the Senate, the chairperson of the
legislative committee, or Clerk of the House of Delegates or the
Clerk of the Senate, as may be appropriate to the respective
chambers and their committees.

(c) For purposes of this section "legislative committee" means
any legislative committee, subcommittee, joint committee,
commission, or any other legislative body comprised of members of
the Legislature.

(d) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly present to the
Legislature, the House of Delegates, the Senate or a legislative
committee a false sworn oral or written statement or information as
to any material fact that may be reasonably relied upon in the
performance of their duties. Any person who violates this section
is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be
fined not more than $5,000, confined in jail for no more than
thirty days, or both fined and confined.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require persons giving
testimony or providing information to the Legislature to attest to
the truthfulness of the testimony or information. The bill
provides who may administer the oath. The bill defines a term.
The bill also provides penalties.